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Merchant of Venice

Merchant of VeniceI agree with the statement saying that the main issues of The Merchant of Venice are credited to the development of Shylock and Portia. Throughout the story, the characters of Shylock and Portia are the ones who raise many significant matters to do with Venetian society and even our society today. Shylock’s experiences in the story bring up topics of racism and revenge, while through the character of Portia, issues such as justice, mercy and the role of women in a patriarchal society, are explored. However, I also believe that through the other characters of Bassanio and Antonio, important subjects of friendship and loyalty are established.

One of the most predominant issues expressed in The Merchant of Venice would be race. In the play, it is evident through the behaviours of the other characters, that the Jewish people in Venetian society were largely looked down upon and regarded as inferior. We are definitely able to see this kind of unjust treatment towards the Jewish people through the character of Shylock, who was stereotypically depicted as a spiteful moneylender. In their society, Christianity and Judaism were not just religions, but racial identities that defined a person’s status. Shylock is labelled with dehumanising insults by Antonio and is referred to as a “misbeliever”, a “cut-throat dog” and a “cur”. Antonio curses Shylock’s religion and ethnicity by mocking him and consistently mentioning what he sees as idiosyncrasies of Judaism. This can be seen through Shylock’s professional practice of charging interest, causing Antonio to be resentful towards all the Jewish moneylenders. He also physically demonstrates his disdain by kicking and spitting on Shylock. Shylock expresses his frustration in the discrimination of Jews in his “Hath not a Jew eyes” speech, which is perhaps the most famous passage in the text. In his speech, he asks "if you prick us do we not bleed?” insisting that Jews and Christians share a common...

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...The Merchant of Venice is a play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1596 and 1598.In Shakespeare s The Merchant of Venice, there are many controversies over religion and friendship, but the idea of the play that interested me the most was the role of women. The two women that are in this play take on the role of the saviors of the men who seem helpless and hopeless compared to them. From the first time we meet Portia, we see that she is a very smart woman and that she is looking for a man that has more thoughts in his head than those of money and beauty. She and Nerissa talk of the stupidity of all her suitors and it is very clear that she is looking for a respectable man who will love her for who she is and not for her money. This separates her from the men from the beginning. All the comments that she makes about the men put her on a pedestal compared to them. Just by speaking of men this way she shows that she is just smarter than they are. God made him, and therefore let him pass for a man. In truth, I know it is a sin to be a mocker, but he! The scenes in which she meets with the suitors to choose the caskets and to see if they will marry her, she is clearly in the dominant position. She acts like she is a judge in a court and she has all authority over the suitors as they choose the different caskets and find out their fates. Behold, there stand the caskets, noble prince. If you choose...

...relationship, even surpassing that between a man and a woman in matrimony. This is portrayed through “The Merchant of Venice”, written by William Shakespeare which was written between 1556 and 1558. This platonic natured friendship is still portrayed in modern literature, but due to changed opinions because of the society in which it was written it is more subtle in expressions as portrayed in “The Running Man” by Michael Gerard Bauer, which was written in 2003. Both texts were intended for different audiences to perceive them in the era they were written in. Where Shakespeare did not even consider the ill perception of his characters friendship, but Bauer reflected society through a character and her actions. This illustrates the change that has occurred in society on their views of a noble friendship.
Elizabethans believed that a platonic noble friendship could exist between two men. Edward Spenser was perhaps the most illustrious of Shakespeare’s contemporaries and his writings were analysed by Charles G. Smith in “Spenser’s Theory of Friendship”, which was written in 1935. It states “Expressed in the simplest terms the ideas (of noble friendships) are friendship is based on virtue, friendship based on equality, friendship based on similarity… and friends goods are common goods” this applies to both The “Merchant” and The “Running Man”. This was openly expressed in “The Merchant of Venice” By...

...Love and Hate
The Merchant of Venice a play written by the famous poet and play writer, William Shakespeare, in the year 1596 - 1598. It is based on both love and hate. Shakespeare demonstrates the themes of love and hate clearly through various character. The friendship love is shown through Antonio towards Bassanio, romantic love is shown through Portia and Bassanio and self love is shown through shylock. However Shakespeare also illustrates hates during the play through the characters shylock and Antonio and shylock and his daughter Jessica.
The Merchant of Venice is a play about love, the play mainly revolve around the romantic love of these main characters Portia and Bassanio. As written in the play, Portia was a rich woman that was left alone by her wealthy father. Many suitors have tried their luck and failed to choose the right casket to win her heart, at last Bassanio caught Portia’s eyes and she fell in love with him. Portia showed her love to Bassanio by hinting which casket has key to her lonely heart. This was done by staring at it. In the final selection, Portia asks "Nerrissa and the rest, stand all aloof,"(3.2, 42) so that they can't see her eyes, and then she tells Bassanio, "my eye shall be the stream."(3.2,26), this made it clear to Bassanio that the right casket was the lead casket which he finally choose. This is how Merchant of Venice is fallen under theme of...

...Mercy vs. Justice
Since everybody is different, their characteristics are different so the definition of mercy in their opinion is different. Since they are not the same, it is shown that some people do not show any mercy because they have no room for mercy or has very little while others give mercy to many a lot. To imagine such a world where mercy is not shown and just being caught by doing one sin would be the death penalty. In The Merchant of Venice, by William Shakespeare, Shakespeare reveals the idea of mercy through the different scenes in a exciting and interesting way for the readers to keep reading on. Mercy depends on the person and how their characteristic is and also how they are viewed by society that can change their characteristics, therefore changing how they would give their mercy.
The close friendship between Antonio and Bassanio is viewed the opposite of how all Christians view Shylock as a Jew and how they treat Shylock compared to Antonio and Bassanio. Since Venice is full of Christians, they are viewed totally opposite. Shylock who has been mocked, insulted and more is suffering from the despises that he gain from just being a Jew. He is only shown to be the antagonist of the story because of all the hatred he gains from Christians. Despite that he ahs done nothing wrong to these Christians, he is hated as if he has started a war between them, the hatred intensifies as he is despised, insulted, and...

...Shylock in "The Merchant of Venice"
Summary: In "The Merchant of Venice" by William Shakespeare, Shylock is always portrayed as the villain of the play. However, a study of his strengths and weaknesses reveals how hard it is to tell whether he is a villain or a victim.
'The Merchant of Venice' written by William Shakespeare is two stories; the flesh blond tale and the love caskets tale. An important character that portrays these two stories is Shylock, an arrogant Jewish merchant. Shylock is an old man who is wealthy by lending money and charging interest e.g. 3000 ducats with Antonio. Shylock has a deep hatred for Christians and he has many strengths and weaknesses. Shylock is sadly always portrayed as the villain of the play.
In 'The Merchant of Venice' by William Shakespeare Shylock is always made known that he is the villain. This is because people stereotype him on his religion and what he acts like. Shylock is portrayed as the villain just because he is a Jew and holds grudges. We are first introduced to Shylock in Act One, Scene Three where we learn of his usury. In this scene we hear of his hatred for Antonio. "How like a fawning publican he looks! I hate him for he is a Christian" (1, 3, 37-38). This statement shows that Shylock hates Antonio. Shylock hates him because he has different beliefs than him and he hates Christians...

...The Merchant of Venice Essay
‘Shylock was justified in taking revenge on Antonio.’
Do you agree?
In ‘The Merchant of Venice’ by William Shakespeare, Shylock the Jew is portrayed as the antagonist of the story. Cunning, vengeful and cruel are words you may use to describe this malicious character, but does he really deserve this reputation?
Upon the mention of Shylock, the saying ‘Never judge a book by its cover’ comes to mind. Though Shylock is seen as a cruel and spiteful character, if one takes the time to seriously analyze the story, you will find that Shylock’s behavior is not without reason.
Under the circumstances that had befallen him, it is relatively normal that Shylock would wish to seek revenge towards Antonio, seeing as Antonio had not treated Shylock amiably in the past, calling him ‘cut throat dog’ and even going as far as to spitting on his Jewish robes. But Shylock did take the whole ‘revenge’ factor a little too far, and most, if not all people would agree that his desire for revenge should not be justified.
However, there are always two sides to every story, and I believe that in this case, not many people take Shylock’s side of the story into enough consideration. I believe that if one takes the time to analyze the situation thoroughly without showing favor for either sides, you will realize that Shylock has not made any unfair demands towards Antonio.
Looking further into the...

...A play I have studied is The Merchant of Venice. Two characters in the play who have a tense relationship are Shylock and Antonio.
This tension stems firstly from religious differences. In Venice at this time the Christians looked down on the Jewish people because of their religion. Shylock cannot understand the hatred of the Jewish people on Antonio and the rest of the Christians part. Antonio treats Shylock like a dog and he even admits in the text Shylock: ‘Fair sir, you spat on me on Wednesday last, You spurn me such a day, another time You call’d me a dog: and for these courtesies I’ll lend you thus much moneys’? Antonio: ‘I am like to call thee so again. To spit on thee again, to spurn thee too. If thou wilt lend this money, lend it not as to thy friends, for when did friendship take A breed for barren metal of his friend? But lend it raher tho thine enemy, who if he break thou may’st with better face exct the penalty’. This shows that even after Shylock lends him the money he will not be any way different or kind to him he will just go back to the same thing of spitting on him and calling him a dog. I think that Shylock was trying to make friends with Antonio but he would not become his friends because of Shylocks religion.
A second reason for the tense relationship is a difference of opinion in the matter of business. Shylock makes a living n lending out money to people for a certain lent of time and then if it...

...Alessandro Larosa
How does Shakespeare present his ideas (themes, main points, the time, morality and reflection) within the merchant of Venice?
Introduction -
The play, the merchant of Venice, was written by Shakespeare. The play puts forward ideas and themes which are universal and relevant in today’s life. He uses techniques, dramatic techniques and context to showcase these ideas which form the plot, climax and conclusion of this remarkable play.
Body -
Justice
Point:
In Venice, 1596, the economic stability was dependant on foreign businessmen like shylock. The city has laws to protect their legal rights and it is how the two religions follow and obey these laws which separate them.
Elaboration:
In the context of Merchant of Venice, Jews believe in justice, and following the law and Christians are shown to have mercy. Shylock with his bond prepares to cut Antonio's heart, meanwhile the Christian court begs him and asks why he will not show mercy. Shylock replies saying he doesn’t have a logical reason for why he hates Antonio but he insists on having his bond to for fill his revenge.
Example:
Shylock has a speech about the courts question.
Quote:
"Tis mine and I will have it.
If you deny me, fie upon your law—
There is no force in the decrees of Venice.
I stand for judgment. Answer, shall I have it?"
...